Are YOU Getting in your Own Way?

If you are like me, there have been way too many times when you get super duper excited that you are finally accomplishing what you have been putting on the back burner for a million years, but then out of no where, a stop sign appears, some divine intervention, and all efforts come to a screeching halt, you get derailed…and you’re like WTF! IS THIS FOR REAL? Why can’t I just get this done? Work with me universe! It could be a new project at work, that closet you needed to clean out, buying a house or car on your own, saving, investing, starting a new workout or eating plan, planning that vacation, or even reading your favorite book and taking some time to spend with the people you love. It could be anything!

Think of a time when this happened to you. A time when you were finally ready to finish something, let it go (thank you frozen), check it off…that “thing” that took residence in the back of your mind, pit of your stomach…especially since it finally got to that #1 spot on your to-do list and boom….back to question mark. You all of a sudden turn into the child in this picture above, pout and all.

Unfortunately, situations like this happen and often lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, exhaustion…and ultimately we get filled with negativity or as I call it…gook. We get in this rut and the lists keep getting longer and longer, the time gets shorter and shorter and in the end you get mad at yourself because there’s always something that gets in your way of accomplishing what you really want or need to get done. Ever find yourself saying…boy I need a personal assistant….HELP?! Or these infamous 4 words…WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME? Suddenly you feel like a car ready to go, but all out of gas.

Well, good news is nothing is wrong with you…but how you handle life’s unexpected curb balls may need some tweaking….you ever think that “you could be getting in your own way?” could it possibly be that you are preventing yourself from getting what you need done? Could your attitude and how you handle life’s unexpected pauses be the reason it goes back to the end of the list? The reality is yes, things do happen for a reason and maybe timing has a lot to do with how things play out and maybe it wasn’t meant to be on that list anyways! It’s funny, but we actually hold onto these things without even knowing it. It’s almost like our security blanket or internally we have some fear related to it that we just can’t let go. To help you with this, and the next time you feel like screaming WTF, think of the interpretation this way:

W—Wipe away your gook

Why let the aggravation win, it’s not worth it. Who wants to stay negative Nancy forever? I don’t. When the curb ball comes your way, ask yourself a simple “why did this happen?” and “Did I have control over it?” Two simple questions to help you determine if you got in your own way. If it happens, acknowledge that it did, and let it go. This will help clear your mind and soul of emotions. If it helps, repeat….”let it go, let it flow” at least three times or when you get frustrated about the situation.

T—Take control of your wheel

You have the opportunity to control how you react to any situation and/or scenario. Take a deep breath in, close your eyes and picture yourself sitting in a driver’s seat and putting your hands on the wheel, Ask yourself where you are headed with that one thing that is now at the bottom of the list. so, where are you headed? This will allow yourself to become more centered with what truly you are meaning to do with it. If it’s not clear in your mind, it will continue to be at the bottom of the list.

F—Focus on what is the most important

We have long to-do lists. I honestly think a to-do list should have no more than 3 things on it (better yet..just 1), especially for that day. Why set the expectations higher than 1 or 2 or 3 things? Make it achievable and not only that, but it will be the most important thing(s) you need to do on that given day. When you’re done, you can think of a new “to-do”. Simplify your list to simplify your mind and provide you with clarity and direction to get what you need done.